Venture Scotland

Crerar Hotels has donated £10,000 to Venture Scotland, a charity who run intensive personal development programmes using wilderness settings and activities, enhanced by long-term community based support for disadvantaged young people in Scotland.

The charity gives disadvantaged young people the awareness, skills and confidence to lead a happier, healthier and more fulfilled life through a unique personal development “journey” programme based in the hills and waterways across the central belt of Scotland and at their remote bothy in Glen Etive that is surrounded by the Glencoe Mountains. Together with a strong network of almost 150 skilled and committed volunteers, they support young people who face the most entrenched challenges to turn their own lives around and get into employment, training, education and volunteering.

Their support is targeted at some of Scotland’s most marginalised young people who need a long-term approach to overcome the considerable and multiple challenges they face. These range from a history of abuse, drug and/or alcohol misuse and mental health problems, to long term unemployment, chronically low motivation and self-esteem – factors that not only impact negatively on the lives of the young people themselves, but also their families and the wider community. The vast majority of young people they support are trapped on estates characterised by high levels of poverty, with no positive role models to look up to and no sense of hope or way out.

With the help of Crerar Hotels Trust’s donation, 10 more young people from Glasgow will participate in the programme. The 12-month programme consists of four modules which are proven to lead to a range of lasting and life-changing practical results. Throughout their time on the programme, young people have access to regular group sessions and mentoring.

Through the programme, at least 88% of participants receive a positive outcome which includes a job, education or training outcome as well as volunteering. In addition, participants will develop their confidence, motivation and basic skills as well as demonstrating improvement in a number of key areas including:

Dealing with problems

Assertive communication

Love and belonging

Positive attitude and self-esteem.

There will also be a positive impact through reduced problems associated with mental health, drug or alcohol misuse as well as improved physical health through increased participation in regular physical activity.

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